Drilling device and method for drilling a well

ABSTRACT

A drilling machine and drilling rig for exploratory drillings and producing wells, include a base mounting atop drive, and a multifunctional gripper for gripping drilling pipe from a stock and to be raised on the base for eventual positions positioning at a well center, an elevator being provided below the top drive. The base can be rotatably mounted and have a live ring at a base lower end region, the base being rotated to the pipe stock location and being rotatable to a well center as well. A drilling pipe upper end when raised on the base can be connected to the top drive, and an iron roughneck on a rig floor can be used to connect a pipe lower end to a pipe section in the well. Where two drilling machine are used, one can be used for actual drilling at the well center, and the second supplied with pipework for the operation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. national stage of application No. PCT/DE99/02599, filedon Aug. 19, 1999. Priority is claimed on that application and on thefollowing application(s):

Country: Germany, Application No.: 198 37 692.8, Filed: Aug. 19, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a drilling machine for a drilling rig and to adrilling rig which can be used for exploratory drillings and producingwells, especially in hydrocarbon deposits. This drilling machine can beused both onshore and offshore. The invention further relates to amethod for sinking such a well.

2. Description of the Related Art

Modern drilling rigs according to the prior art consist of a largenumber of components, such as a drawworks, an iron roughneck, a rigfloor, a pipe handling system, a pipe rack, a crown block with atraveling block and a top drive, and a pipe ramp and a catwalk for thedrilling pipes and various auxiliary devices for handling.

Such drilling rigs have the disadvantage that they consist of a largenumber of components which, because of the constant changing of thedrilling location of the drilling rigs, entail elaborate and costlylogistics and large numbers of personnel. In addition, the individualcomponents are not coordinated as regards their space requirement, sothat a relatively large drilling area is needed which, however, isfrequently not available (offshore) or very cost-intensive.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,588 describes a tie rod drill for the insertion ofground tie rods, such as are used in the civil engineering industry tosecure embankments or pillar walls. The tie rod drill disclosed has atracklaying gear on which a drill upper part is mounted by means of alive ring. Arranged on this upper part is a mast, to which a slide isfastened, on which in turn drill mount is mounted via a pivot device anda hydraulic cylinder. This drill mount consists of a supporting frame, adrill drive and two grippers, in which a drilling pipe can be retained.

The tie rod drill, like other tie rod drills (e.g. EP 0 379 187 A1) issuitable only for the placement of ground tie rods in the course ofcivil engineering work. These ground tie wells extend only a few metersdeep into the ground or rock, and have only short pipe lengths of up toa maximum of 6 meters and pipe diameters up to a maximum of 176 mm(column 1, lines 62 to 64). For sinking exploratory and productivewells, as needed for example in the oil and natural gas industry, suchtie rod drills are completely unsuitable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to propose a drilling machinefor exploratory and productive wells, a drilling rig and a methodwhereby decisive cost savings can be achieved with regard to logisticaland personnel costs.

The drilling machine for exploratory and productive wells according tothe invention comprises a base, on or in which, by means of a guide, atop drive displaceable relative to the longitudinal axis of the base anda multifunctional gripper, which is movable perpendicularly relative tothe base and both guides and grips the drilling pipe, are arranged, thebase itself being rigid and preferably pivotably and/or rotatablymounted. An intermediate piece or a live ring is connected to the base,the intermediate piece or live ring being arranged directly at the footof the base.

The advantages achieved by means of the invention reside especially inthe fact that a drilling machine is provided which is unusuallyeconomical of space and can handle the pipe automatically.Advantageously, the live ring connected to the base, or the intermediatepiece, absorbs the forces acting on the base.

The top drive comprises the actual drive, in order to rotate the pipe,and a handling device which connects the pipe to the drive shaft of theactual drive. This handling device is located below the actual topdrive. Optionally, a screwing and securing device is arranged on the topdrive.

In addition, an elevator is arranged below the top drive and thehandling unit and serves to lift the pipe from the vertical position.

The top drive is arranged on the receiving frame which is connected tothe drawworks, for example by means of a cable, which can also bemultiply rove. The receiving frame is moved, for example by means ofguide rollers in a linear guide, parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe base. The linear guide may be connected to the base both externallyand internally;

The top drive is designed to be displaceable with the receiving frame inthe linear guide. The receiving frame for the top guide may be arrangedin or on the base. The guide may, for example, be secured by a slidingrail and sliders and by racks and pinions or guide rollers and guiderails. Possible linear drives include, in addition to rack drives,spindle drives, hydraulic drives and a plurality of chain hoists.However, other linear drives resulting from technological progress couldalso be installed. Another possibility is a cable hoist or a block andtackle combination with a drawworks, a traveling block, a dead cableanchor, a reverse cable drum and a crown block (bearing).

Preferably, the base is formed in a box structure, for example, if it ispivotable, in a type of rocker. The foot of the base can be mounted on,in, or below the rig floor. Another possibility is for the base,including the foot, to be installed on a supporting vehicle, such as,for example, a mobile workover rig.

The ground, in other words the surface of the terrain, may also be usedas a rig floor. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the rigfloor of the drilling machine is connected to a subframe, which mayconsist of subframe boxes and/or subframe supports or other standardsolutions (slingshot, etc.).

In a particularly advantageous development of the invention, the livering of the drilling machine according to the invention has a throughguide through which a cable is guided which connects the top drive via acrown block to the drawworks. Preferably, the through guide is arrangedat the center of the intermediate piece or live ring, in order to ensureoptimum cable guidance during the operation of the drilling machine.

A further embodiment envisages that an iron roughneck is arranged in thelower region of the base, just above the rig floor, and is used forsecuring and breaking.

The iron roughneck may be arranged pivotably and/or movably on the base.An alternative possibility is for the iron roughneck to be arrangedmovably or pivotably on the rig floor.

Advantageously, a retaining apparatus is fixed below or on the rigfloor, for example in order to catch the drilling pipe or the casings.

The drilling machine may also be displaceable in a further embodiment.By displacement from the well center, the well head can be madeaccessible, so as to facilitate in particular the installation andremoval of heavy preventers. The possibility also exists of moving thevertically standing drilling machine out of the region of the well andsteering it, for example, into the region of pipe racks in order to pickup pipes. In addition, advantageously, the drilling machine can beadjusted relative to the center line. Furthermore, pipes can be takenfrom a plurality of pipe racks arranged side by side and, for example,positioned vertically. Moreover, this advantageous embodiment createsthe possibility of moving the drilling machine from well to well amongcluster wells, for example offshore.

The bases are freestanding, which means that no additional steelstructure has to be fixed on the rig floor in order to stabilize thebases. However, the possibility does also exist of installing a steelstructure, for example on the rig floor, as a result of which alightweight construction of the base is permitted, since such anadditional structure would increase rigidity and achieve high flexuralstrength. The principal forces can be passed into such a steelstructure.

In such a case, a holding apparatus, preferably a locking unit, would bearranged in the upper region of this additional steel structure andwould hold both a pivotable and a rotatable base in a defined position.This locking device can be in the form of a hollow cylinder, to which aflushing hose is connected and on which a valve is arranged in order toensure the flushing feed. The flushing is fed to the flushing hose viaan ascending pipe arranged on or in the base or on the additional steelstructure. Especially if the base is pivoted, it is advantageous toincorporate the flushing feed into the locking device, so that flushingis available virtually automatically and without a further working step.

As a result of the linear movement of the top drive, flexible lines mustbe provided for flushing, energy and the control of the ascending lineto the top drive. This can be ensured, for example, by a drum arrangedin the upper region of the base which, during a downward movement,unrolls the flushing hose and, during an upward movement, winds it upagain so that the risk of breakage or other damage during installationand removal of pipes is avoided.

In a preferred embodiment, the top drive is arranged to be rotatableabout a parallel axis of the base. As a result, only part of thedrilling machine and hence a reduced load needs to be moved in order toreceive a pipe. In addition, the live ring can be dispensed with. Forexample, the top drive is articulated by means of a hinge on a long sideof the receiving frame and locked in the unrotated position, as forexample during the drilling operation. The locking is released at thestart of the rotating operation. The rotational movement is preferablyperformed by means of a hydraulic cylinder or by one or more steppingmotors.

A further embodiment envisages arranging a freely suspended flushinghose on the freestanding base or on the additional steel structure.

In order to erect the supporting structure from the horizontal into thevertical position, a lifting apparatus is provided which comprises oneor more hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. Instead of a cylinder, a winchmay also be used. This makes drilling possible at an angle of from 5 to90 degrees to the surface of the terrain. Erection can also be performedin sections, with the aid of a crane, if no cylinder or winch isinstalled.

A particularly advantageous embodiment envisages that a winch isarranged in the lower region of the base, its cable being secured via areturn roller to the receiving frame on which the top drive is located.Above the winch is the fixed roller of the cable hoist. This winch isdriven by means of a drive unit, preferably comprising an electric motorwith downstream transmission. Further drives, for example a hydraulicdrive, are possible. As a result of this arrangement, the movement ofthe receiving frame and hence of the top drive in or on the base ispossible, especially if little or no load has to be moved. As a resultof this arrangement, the top drive can be drawn downward, in other wordsa compressive force toward the ground is generated.

This has the advantage that workover tasks, drilling operations andsnubbing operations (e.g. pipe installation) can be carried out orinitial pressure exerted at the start of drilling.

A preferred embodiment of the invention envisages that means forpivoting the base are arranged on the rig floor of the drilling machine,these means preferably comprising a pivot bearing with a bolt and aconnecting member to the base, together with a lifting apparatus, ifinstallation is not to make use of a crane.

Suitable alternative apparatuses for erecting the base include, inparticular, pneumatically or hydraulically operated lifting apparatusesor winches.

A drilling machine of this design is able to sink wells at differentangles or, especially with smaller drilling machines, to receive thepipe independently and actively without the need for any special pipehandling device.

A further advantageous development of the invention envisages that anindependent handling device is arranged adjacent to and/or below the rigfloor or adjacent to the base, and preferably comprises a truck which isarranged to be movable on rails. Arranged on the truck is a boom unitwhich is advantageously mounted to be rotatable and/or pivotable bymeans of a pivot device in a vertical plane and comprises a pipereceiving unit and/or at least one holding unit, preferably a gripper.

The pipe handling device allows the drilling machine to be automaticallysupplied with pipe in a rapid and reliable manner, especially since thepipe handling device is able to take pipes from various pipe racks,especially pipe boxes, and feed them to the drilling machine. Such anembodiment is very particularly advantageous in conjunction with adrilling rig which comprises at least two drilling machines, in whichcase one pipe handling device can be dispensed with.

The text that follows provides details of a specific embodiment of theinvention.

The drawworks is installed in one of the subframe boxes. The reservecable drum can also be accommodated in one of these boxes. The crownblock is fixed in the upper region of the base.

The cable is passed through the intermediate piece of the base in ordernot to interfere with the possible subsequent rotatability of the baseand to avoid damage to the cable if a live ring is retrofitted. Abovethe drawworks is a trolley which assists the introduction of the cablethrough the intermediate piece into the fulcrum of the base. By means ofthis arrangement, the cable is only slightly twisted and not exposed toadditional stresses if a live ring is subsequently installed, forexample in conjunction with a second drilling machine. A furtheradvantage of this design is the extremely low center of gravity of sucha drilling machine.

A further embodiment envisages installing a small winch in the lowerregion of the base in order also to pull down the receiving frame of thetop drive, especially if the installation of a drawworks as a lineardrive is intended. The cable of this small winch is fixed to the lowerpart of the receiving frame or guided downward over a return rollerfixed on the receiving frame and secured. By means of this winch,workover tasks, drilling operations and also snubbing operations (orpipe installation) can be performed more simply.

A further embodiment envisages that a pipe rack is arranged adjacent tothe drilling machine, and is arranged vertically for the rotatableversion and horizontally for the pivotable version.

In the case of the vertical version, for example, the pipe racks standto the right and left of and adjacent to a rail-borne pipe handlingsystem. The pipe handling system takes the pipe from the vertical piperacks and conveys it to a defined and fixed collection position.

A further possibility envisages that the iron roughneck is displaceableperpendicularly to the base and/or can be run into the base. Theadvantage of such a design resides in the fact that the downholeequipment can be introduced into the well without problems.

Also described is a drilling rig, which is characterized in that two ormore drilling machines are arranged to be alternately movable orrotatable or pivotable over the well center. The advantage of such adesign resides in the fact that one drilling machine performs the actualdrilling operation and the other is supplied with a pipework for thatoperation. As a result of this the drilling time is reduced andcost-effectiveness optimized.

Preferably, the drilling rigs are arranged substantially in exactsymmetry relative to the center of the well.

Since a drilling machine which is loading a pipe is not located over thewell center, the other drilling machine can connect the previouslyloaded pipe to the pipe drain in the well and continue sinking the well.This creates the possibility of sinking the well virtually continuously.A further advantage lies in the fact that the drilling rig can beoperated with a minimum of drilling-personnel, as it performs theseoperations almost completely automatically, especially in the handlingof the pipes, etc.

Particularly when a steel structure is used, the two bases or drillingmachines can advantageously be connected, preferably by means of acable, a chain or a kinematic chain, in order to minimize the energynecessary in the pivotable version of the bases. The connection of thetwo supporting units is ensured via a return point, for example aroller, which is arranged in the upper region of the steel structure.With such an arrangement, the energy of the distributing supporting unitcan be utilized to erect the other supporting unit. In such anembodiment, preferably, a damping device is installed on the upper steelstructure in order to avoid possible resonance vibrations which may bepassed into the drilling rig. Such a damping unit could, for example,comprise a spring or a hydraulic cylinder with choke.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that, in thepivotable version, the base is available in the horizontal position toreceive the pipes.

The top drive is in the upper position and the multifunctional gripperat the same height as the pipes, for example, lie on the stands. Thepipe is rolled over the base. Then, in the lying position, the pipe isgripped by the multifunctional gripper and thus locked. Subsequently, bymeans of the top drive and the handling device, which is located betweenthe top drive and a lower region of the base, the upper connection tothe pipe is produced. Subsequently, the base is raised into the verticalposition by means of the lifting apparatus and the lower connectionbetween the pipe on the base and the pipe located in the well is made.Optionally, when this position is reached, the base can be locked on asteel structure.

As already mentioned, the possibility exists of the base beingfreestanding, in which case locking or the retention of the base takesplace in the region of the fulcrum or pivot point.

The connection between the top drive shaft and pipe is produced, inparticular, when pipes are set down during drilling. During handlingpipe steps involved in installation and removal operations, the pipe canalso be merely suspended in the elevator which is arranged below the topdrive, since the thread of the pipe is particularly protected fromdamage and the operations can be performed more quickly.

The lower pipe connection is ensured by the iron roughneck, standing onthe rig floor or integrated on the base, which, to this end, eithermoves out from the base beyond the well center or is pivoted over thewell center by means of a hinge. A further embodiment envisages that theiron roughneck is arranged conventionally in a displaceable manner onthe rig floor. Similarly, after the screw connection between the pipe inthe well and that in the drilling machine is complete, themultifunctional gripper is released and run into the base.

The iron roughneck is then maneuvered out of the area, the holdingapparatus is released and the drilling operation continues. To this end,the top drive is lowered in the guide of the base.

As a result of the use of two pivotable drilling machines, theadvantageous possibility exists of a drilling machine located in thehorizontal position picking up the pipe, while the other drillingmachine drills. As soon as the vertically standing drilling machine hascompleted the drilling operation, and the top drive has thus arrived inthe lower position, the horizontally lying drilling machine can beraised into the vertical position by means of the lifting apparatus.When this occurs, the top drive, in the case of the distributingdrilling machine, is moved back into the upper position during thismovement.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to theinvention is illustrated by means of a rigid base. The pipe is removedfrom the pipe rack by means of the rail-borne pipe handling system andmoved toward the rig floor. The top drive is located in the upperposition.

The pipe handling device inclines the pipe toward the base, and the topdrive and the elevator, and also the handling system, are lowered to alevel at which the elevator can encompass the pipe. When this level isreached, the elevator encompasses the pipe. Simultaneously, themultifunctional gripper moves out from the base and encompasses thepipe, so that the latter is fixed in its position but can be displacedin the vertical direction.

Subsequently, the pipe, suspended in the elevator, is raised by thelinear drive, the multifunctional gripper guiding and controlling thepipe in the lower region and running it into the base in accordance withthe travel covered in the linear guide. As soon as the top drive hasarrived in the upper position, the upper connection between drive shaftand pipe is brought about with the aid of the handling device or by ascrewing and securing device. Subsequently, the pipe is lowered and theconnection to the pipe located in the well is brought about by means ofthe iron roughneck. The multifunctional gripper is then run in, theholding apparatus is released and the drilling operation is continued.Alternatively, the pipe, suspended in the elevator, can initially bescrewed to the pipe located in the well and only subsequently connectedto the top drive by means of the handling device or a screwing andsecuring device located on the top drive.

Another method step envisages that the pipe is conveyed by means of therail-borne pipe handling device to the defined collection point. Thebase rotates about its own longitudinal axis with the aid of thebuilt-in live ring and stops precisely above the collection point. Atthis time, the top drive is located in the upper position of the base.Alternatively, in a rigid drilling machine, it is possible for only thetop drive to be pivoted or rotated from the receiving frame to a definedcollection point.

The top drive, and hence also the handling device and the elevator, arenow lowered. The elevator is pivoted outwards during lowering. As soonas the elevator can encompass the pipe, the latter is pivoted in andencompasses the pipe.

The multifunctional gripper is run out from the base and likewiseencompasses the pipe. This serves to retain the pipe at two points andavoid shaking in the event of further handling. Subsequently, the pipeis raised parallel to the linear guide by means of the upward-movingelevator until the top drive has reached the upper position. The base isthen pivoted over the well center.

The upper connection between drive shaft and pipe by means of a screwingand securing device or with the aid of the handling device can takeplace during this lifting and rotational movement in order to optimizeoverall times.

Subsequently, the lower connection is made with the aid of the ironroughneck and the iron roughneck is subsequently maneuvered once againout of the region of the well center.

The multifunctional gripper is run into the base, the holding apparatusis released and the drilling operation is continued.

If two or more drilling machines are used, one drilling machine canreceive a new pipe and the others drill, so that almost continuousdrilling is guaranteed. Steps are taken here by means of appropriatecontrol to prevent the rotating drilling machines from colliding. Whenpipes are being installed and removed (round trips), screwing to thedrive shaft it of the top drive is normally not necessary.

Instead of pipes, individual drilling train sections, casings, pipestrings, tubing or pipe-like articles may be used.

Examples of embodiments of the rigid version with one drilling machineand a rail-borne pipe handling system and the rotatable version with twodrilling machines and pipe handling system (e.g., a vertical pipehandler/horizontal pipe handler) are explained hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

-   -   FIG. 1 shows the lateral view of the base;    -   FIG. 2 shows the front view of a base;    -   FIG. 3 shows on enlarged scale the plan view of the upper part        of a rotatable base;    -   FIG. 4 shows the lateral view of a drilling machine with a base        (rigid) arrangement;    -   FIG. 5 shows the front view of the drilling rig;    -   FIG. 6 shows the plan view of a rigid drilling machine;    -   FIG. 7 shows a rail-borne pipe handling device (for horizontal        or vertical racks);    -   FIG. 8 shows a frontal view of a drilling machine and a pipe        handling device and a pipe receiving unit disposed alongside the        drilling rig;    -   FIG. 9 shows the plan view of a drilling rig with two drilling        machines; and    -   FIG. 10 shows a lateral view with two drilling machines with        live rings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, the receiving frame 4 with topdrive 2 and handling device 5 or the pipe handling device 23 are shownin two different positions, one position in each case being shown inbroken lines. In the broken-line illustration of the receiving frame andthe top drive, the return roller 11 is not shown.

FIG. 1 shows the lateral view of the base 1 with the top drive 2, thelinear guide 3 attached to the base, the receiving frame 4 for the topdrive, the handling device below the top drive 5 and the elevator forpipe acceptance. Below the top drive is optionally arranged a screwingand securing device, in order to screw a pipe feef in by means of thehandling device fixedly to the shaft of the top drive, or, for exampleduring the removal of the pipe, to break the connection again betweentop drive and pipe. Struts 42 of the base 1 are indicated, theseimproving the statics of the base.

Also shown in the drawing is the crown block 7, which is integrated inthe upper region of the base. The cable 13 is guided through the livering 9 by means of the through guide 8, in order that the position ofthe cable should not change during the rotational movement.

The live ring 9 is mounted below the base 1 and is fixedly connected tothe rig floor.

In order to perform snubbing operations, including for example theinstallation of pipes, a winch 10 is installed in the lower region ofthe base 1. The cable (not shown) of this winch is, in this case, passedover a return roller 11 in order to utilize the cable hoist effect.

The multifunctional gripper 12 is shown in the drawing as a furtherstructural group, this gripping and guiding the pipe and beinghorizontally displaceable.

In order to enable the flushing feed, the flushing hose 15 is indicatedand, in this example, hangs partly free.

Arranged on the live ring is a connecting member 105 on which a rigidretaining member, in this case a strut 103, is attached by means ofpillow blocks 104 and bolts. The other end of the strut 103 is fixedlyconnected to one side of the base 1. A further connecting member 110contains a further pillow block 104 and provides a connection to thebase 1 by means of a bolt. As a result, the entire base can be heldvertically. Other connecting members whereby the base 1 can be held areof course conceivable.

FIG. 2 shows the frontal view of the base 1 with the top drive 2, thereceiving frame 4, the handling device 5 and the elevator 6.

The crown block 7 is additionally indicated here. At the center of thebase 1 can be seen the cable 13, which is passed by the through guide 8through the live ring 9 in the lower region.

The flushing hose (shown in FIG. 1 but not here) is connected to thepipe connection 16 in order to pass the flushing into the top drive.

For snubbing or pipe installation, the winch 10 is mounted in the lowerpart of the base 1 and is driven, for example, by an electric motor withdownstream transmission (drive unit 14).

FIG. 3 shows the plan view of a rotatable base 1 with the linear guide3, in which the receiving frame 4 is guided by means of guide rollerswith the top drive 2 mounted thereon.

The quarter-circular broken line represents the pivot line 30 for thisarrangement as far as a fictitious collection point 28. The drive shaft45 is only indicated, as is the lining 43 of the top drive.

FIG. 4 shows the lateral view of the drilling machine with a baseaccording to FIG. 1.

In this version of a non-rotatable drilling machine, the live ring isnot needed. However, in order to enable rigging to take place in asimple manner, an intermediate piece 27 replacing the live ring is used,preferably having the same dimensions and connecting measures as theactual live ring, and similarly containing the through guide 8.

To this end, the rig floor 21, which serves to receive the intermediatepiece 27 and also the subframe boxes 19 and the support 22, which servesto support the rig floor, are drawn in.

In addition, the drawworks 17, which can be installed in either theupper or the lower subframe box, is shown.

The cable 13 is always forcibly guided over the Lebus groove of thedrawworks drum with the aid of the trolley 18.

The feeding in and collection of pipes takes place by means of thepreferably rail-borne pipe handling device 23, which can be moved on therails 24 and transports and adjusts the pipe 25.

Also shown are the transverse struts 42, which improve the statics ofthe box structure of the base 1. A closed box structure may also be usedinstead of this lattice structure.

The pipe is removed from a pipe rack (not shown) by means of the pipehandling device 23 and passed via the rails 24 to the drilling machine.The pipe 25 is fed by means of a gripper 125 to the pipe receiving unit122 until it can be encompassed by the elevator 6, which moves downwardinto the appropriate position. The pipe ramp 126 is optionally providedto secure the lower part of the pipe. A pivot device by which the boom124 can be moved into a vertical plane is designated 123. The blow-outpreventer (BOP) stack, above the well (not shown), is designated 129.

FIG. 5 shows the frontal view of the drilling rig with the base 1corresponding to FIG. 2, the live ring 9 having been replaced by anintermediate piece 27.

This view shows, by way of example, the iron roughneck 20, which hasbeen mounted in this form on the rig floor 21. Also shown is the topdrive 2 with the handling device 5 lying below it.

The cable 13 is always forcibly guided over the Lebus groove of thedrawworks 17 by means of the trolley 18, so that the cable 13 isreliably passed from this device through the through guide 8 to thecrown block 7.

The base 1 is connected by the intermediate piece 27 to the rig floor21. A driller's cabin 127 arranged on the rig floor 21 is also indicatedtherein.

FIG. 6 shows the plan view of the rigid drilling machine on the rigfloor 21. In the plan view, the lateral arrangement of the ironroughneck 20 is identifiable. The pipes are removed from the verticallystanding pipe boxes 26 by the rail-borne pipe handling system 23, whichruns on the rails 24, and passed to the drilling machine. Any desiredstorage capacity can be achieved by this arrangement of the verticalpipe boxes 26.

FIG. 7 shows the rail-borne handling device 23. The possibility existsof storing a stock of pipes 25 in vertically standing (or horizontally)lying pipe boxes 26 and removing them therefrom.

The pipes 25 are guided or fixed during transport, or during loading orunloading from the pipe boxes, by fingers or transport mountings 128. Inthis example of embodiment, the individual pipes 25 are removed from theboxes 26 by means of the pipe handling device 23. The pipe receivingunit 122, with two grippers 125 in this example, which can pivot in avertical plane as a result of the pivot apparatus 123, is guided to thepipe 25 and the pipe 25 is gripped. Thereafter, the boom 124 is pivotedback. In this example, the truck 121 is moved on the rails 24 toward thedrilling rig (not shown). In addition, a rotating apparatus 120 isprovided whereby the boom 124 with the pipe receiving unit 122 can berotated on the truck 121, for example in order to reach a particularcollection point 28. Not illustrated is the possibility of designing thepipe receiving unit 122 to be displaceable, so that short liftingmovements are possible in order to make it easier to remove the pipe 25from the transport mounting.

FIG. 8 shows the frontal view of the drilling rig in section, with twobases 1 and the associated components, as shown in FIG. 2, one of thebases not being shown as a result of the section. This drilling rig isequipped, in this embodiment, with one live ring 9 in each case, belowthe base 1, in order to pivot the drilling machine alternately over thewell center.

In addition, the rail-borne pipe handling system 23 with the rails 24 isshown, this transporting the pipes to the respective collection points.

FIG. 9 shows the plan view of the drilling rig according to theinvention with two drilling machines 40.

In this view, one drilling machine 40 is pivoted inward over the wellcenter 130 and is just ending the drilling process and the otherdrilling machine 41 is pivoted outward and stands ready, with pipe 25loaded, to pivot over the well center 130. The iron roughneck 20 isarranged centrally, in order advantageously to break or make up theconnections.

Similarly, the rail-borne pipe handling device 23 with the rails 24 isshown, as are the pipe boxes 26.

The pipes 25 are transported to the collection points 28 and taken overby the handling device 5 (not shown) with the elevator 6 (not shown)lying below it.

FIG. 10 shows the lateral view with the twin drilling machines 40, 41according to FIG. 1 (pivoted outward, 41) and FIG. 2 (pivoted inward,40) which are fixed on the two live rings 9 on the rig floor 21.

This design of the drilling rig possesses two drawworks 17 and also twocables 13, FIG. 10 showing only the drawworks and cable 13 of thedrilling machine 40.

In this example of embodiment, the drilling machine 40 is showndiagramatically as being optionally pivotable from the vertical into thehorizontal position, 107 designating the lifting apparatus, 108 thepivot bearing and 109 the connecting member.

As a result of the doubling of the drilling machines, the possibilitynow exists of drilling with one machine and reloading the pipe with theother machine. As a result, the well can be sunk more quickly.

List of References

-   1 Base-   2 Top drive-   3 Linear guide-   4 Receiving frame-   5 Handling device-   6 Elevator-   7 Crown block-   8 Through guide-   9 Live ring-   10 Winch-   11 Return roller-   12 Multifunctional gripper-   13 Cable-   14 Drive unit-   15 Flushing hose-   16 Pipe connection-   17 Drawworks-   19 Subframe boxes-   20 Iron roughneck-   21 Rig floor-   22 Support-   23 Pipe handling device-   24 Rails-   25 Pipe-   26 Pipe boxes-   27 Intermediate piece-   28 Collection point-   30 Pivot line-   40 Drilling machine-   41 Further drilling machine-   42 Struts of the base-   43 Lining of the top drive 2-   44 Guide rollers in the linear guide 3-   45 Drive shaft of the top drive 2-   46 Fixed roller of the cable hoist, which is connected via a cable    and the return roller 11 to the winch 10-   102 Pipe connector-   103 Rigid retaining member-   104 Pillow block with bolt-   105 Connecting member between retaining member 103 and live ring 9    or intermediate piece 27-   107 Lifting apparatus-   108 Pivot bearing with bolt-   109 Connecting member between lifting apparatus 107 and live ring 9    or intermediate piece 27-   110 Connecting member between base 1 and live ring 9 or intermediate    piece 27-   120 Rotating apparatus-   121 Truck of the pipe handling device 23-   122 Pipe receiving unit-   123 Pivot apparatus-   124 Boom of the pipe handling device 23-   125 Gripper of the pipe receiving unit 122-   126 Pipe ramp-   127 Driller's cab-   128 Fingers or transport mountings-   129 BOP (blow-out preventer) stack-   130 Well

1. A drilling machine for exploratory and productive wells, comprising:a base; a top drive; a guide for guiding a movement of the top drivecodirectionally with a longitudinal axis of said base; a gripper for atleast one of gripping and guiding a drilling pipe, said gripper beingmoveable perpendicular to the base axis; a live ring connected to thebase at a foot of said base; a rig floor, said live ring being affixedto said rig floor; a drawworks arranged below said rig floor, saiddrawworks including a cable guiding trolley; and an iron roughneckarranged one of on said rig floor and in a lower region of said baseabove said rig floor, said iron roughneck being one of slidably moveablymounted and pivotably moveably mounted.
 2. A drilling machine accordingto claim 1, further comprising at least one subframe box supporting saidrig floor, said drawworks being arranged in said sub frame box.
 3. Adrilling machine for exploratory and productive wells, comprising: abase; a top drive; a guide for guiding a movement of the top drivecodirectionally with a longitudinal axis of said base; a gripper for atleast one of gripping and guiding a drilling pipe, said gripper beingmoveable perpendicular to the base axis; a live ring connected to thebase at a foot of said base; a rig floor, said live ring being affixedto said rig floor; and a pipe handling device arranged proximal at leastone of said rig floor and said base, wherein said pipe handling deviceis arranged below said rig floor.
 4. A drilling machine according toclaim 3, wherein said pipe handling device comprises: a truck moveableon rails; a pipe receiving unit arranged on said truck; and a pivotdevice, said pipe receiving unit being mounted to said pivot device soas to be at least one of rotatable and pivotable in a vertical plane. 5.A drilling machine according to claim 4, wherein said pipe receivingunit comprises at least one of a pipe gripper and a retaining unit.
 6. Adrilling machine for exploratory and productive wells, comprising: abase; a top drive; a guide for guiding a movement of the top drivecodirectionally with a longitudinal axis of said base; a gripper for atleast one of gripping and guiding a drilling pipe, said gripper beingmoveable perpendicular to the base axis; a live ring connected to thebase at a foot of said base; a steel structure, and a locking apparatusarranged on an upper end of said base and connectable to said steelstructure.
 7. A drilling rig comprising at least two drilling machines,each drilling machine including: a base; a top drive; a guide forguiding a movement of the top drive codirectionally with a longitudinalaxis of said base; a gripper for at least one of gripping and guiding adrilling pipe, said gripper being moveable perpendicular to the baseaxis; and a live ring connected to the base at a foot of said base, eachmachine being moveable at least one of rotatably and pivotably forselective positioning of said machines over a center of a well; saiddrilling rig further comprising a steel structure arranged between saiddrilling machines, said drilling machines being reciprocally lockable tosaid steel structure and said drilling machines being connected to oneanother by at least one of a cable and a chain, the steel structurecarrying a return roller, said at least one of a cable and a chainpassing over said roller.
 8. A drilling rig according to claim 7,further comprising a damping device arranged on at least one of thesteel structure and said drilling machines, the damping device includingat least one of a spring and a hydraulic cylinder with a choke.
 9. Amethod for sinking a well and installing pipe work with a drillingmachine, said drilling machine having a base, a top drive on the base, ahandling device on the base, a gripper in the base for gripping a pipe,an elevator, and a rail-borne pipe handling unit, said methodcomprising: a) providing that at least a part of the base is rotatableabout a vertical axis, said top drive being located in at least one ofan upper and a middle region of said base; b) rotating said at least apart of the base to a base position proximal a pipe collection point atwhich a pipe selected from a pipe stock and conveyed to said collectionpoint with said handling unit is held; c) lowering the top drive andhandling device connected thereto, and the elevator on the basesufficiently to enable said elevator to encompass said selected pipe; d)extending the gripper from the base sufficiently for the gripper toencompass said selected pipe; e) lifting the pipe on the base androtating the base to position the pipe over the well; and (f) connectinga lower end of the selected pipe to a pipe located in the well, andconnecting an upper end of the selected pipe to a drive shaft of saidtop drive.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein connection ofthe upper end of said selected pipe is with a drive shaft of said topdrive and is effected with at least one of a screwing and securingdevice, and the pipe handling device.
 11. The method according to claim10, wherein connection of the lower end of the selected pipe with a pipein the well is effected first, and then connection of the upper end ofsaid selected pipe made with the drive shaft of said top drive.
 12. Themethod according to claim 9, wherein connection of the upper end of saidselected pipe and said drive shaft of the top drive is effected with atleast one of a screwing and securing device, and the pipe handlingdevice.
 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least a partof the base which is rotatable is the top drive, said top drive beingrotated about a vertical axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of saidbase to position it proximal said collection point.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein during pipe handling steps involved ininstallation and removal operations, the selected pipe is suspended onlyin the elevator, connection of said selected pipe with the drive shaftof the top drive being omitted.